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Preventing IUC infections in Tanzanian patients; nurses’ knowledge, clinical practice and patients’ views
Author(s) -
Ndomba Asteria LM,
Smide Bibbe,
Aarts Clara
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of urological nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.184
H-Index - 8
eISSN - 1749-771X
pISSN - 1749-7701
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-771x.2008.00044.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tanzania , economic shortage , nursing , family medicine , government (linguistics) , philosophy , linguistics , environmental science , environmental planning
Nosocomial infections related to indwelling urinary catheters (IUC) are a worldwide problem. While this is true in areas of the globe where care facilities are optimal, it is even more the case that in countries where care conditions are compromised or when practice is lacking a substantial knowledge base. The primary aim of this study was to investigate nurses’ knowledge and clinical practise regarding care of patients with IUC in preventing nosocomial infections in four hospitals in Tanzania. Additionally, the study investigated patients’ views about received care relating to the presence of an IUC. Registered and enrolled nurses ( n = 135) working in four hospitals in Dar‐es‐Salaam municipality completed a questionnaire about IUC procedures. Four nurse students performed bedside observations of nurses ( n = 127) on the care for patients with IUC. Sixty patients were interviewed about their views of the care given in relation to IUC. The nurses’ overall knowledge was good, but there was a discrepancy between knowledge and clinical practice. Hand washing prior to care for patients with IUC was poor due to lack of water and soap. Half of the patients experienced problems; haematuria, offensive smell, pus around the catheter and swelling of the scrotum in male patients. Patients expressed frustration regarding the care of IUC. There was a shortage of trained hospital staff, shortage of beds to the extent that patients had to share beds and appropriate equipment was not available. Although the nurses’ knowledge in IUC care was relatively good, the nursing care for patients with IUC in the studied hospitals ought to be improved. This can be done by developing evidence‐based, culturally congruent guidelines for assurance of quality care. Many of the problems that were considered to increase the risk of nosocomial infections were identified as being related to the logistics of the wards and lack of staff. Therefore, on the strength of these findings, it is recommended that unnecessary use of IUC should be avoided particularly where weak infrastructure has been identified.